Footwear including resilient support members

ABSTRACT

An article of footwear includes an outsole and an upper attached to the outsole. The upper has a heel portion, a vamp portion, and two quarter portions, and defines a foot opening. A resilient heel support member is retained within a first channel that extends through the upper and lines a part of the foot opening in the heel portion of the upper. The heel support member is configured to support the upper such that the article of footwear retains its shape.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A mule shoe typically has a closed toe and is backless or has no strap around the heel. These types of shoes are designed for a foot to easily slide into or out of the shoe. Such shoes are desirable, at least in part, because the slip-on style is convenient; it takes a short time to put the shoes on with no buckles or shoelaces to tie, and does not require the wearer to bend over when slipping the shoe on. However, mule-type shoes can relatively easily fall off of a person's foot or feet due to the backless design, limiting their usefulness and convenience when the wearer is participating in athletic activities such as running, hiking, or jumping.

Loafer-type shoes are similarly designed for a foot to easily slide into or out of the shoe, but generally incorporate a relatively low back to aid in securing the shoe to a wearer's foot. Because of the way a loafer-type shoe is designed, the wearer often places pressure on the shoe back when slipping a foot into the shoe. This pressure can cause the shoe back to crumple under the wearer's heel, which in turn causes damage to the shoe and makes it more likely that the back portion will crumple in the future when the foot is inserted into the shoe. The crumpling also results in the wearer having to bend over to manually straighten the shoe back, thus negating some of the convenience of the slip-on design.

Additionally, many people slip on regular closed heel shoes by leaving the laces untied or relatively loosely tied and forcibly inserting their foot so that they can easily slip their closed heel shoes on and off their feet without having to spend time tying their shoelaces or securing straps. Leaving laces untied or loosely tied detracts from the support provided by a shoe, and forcibly inserting the foot into the shoe can result in bending the heels down, causing the material forming the heels to deteriorate and lose support, ultimately destroying the shoes. Additionally, this again requires the wearer to bend over and manually straighten the heel of the shoe.

Accordingly, there is a need for a shoe that is convenient for the wearer to insert his or her foot into without requiring manual straightening of the heel, and is secure on the wearer's foot.

BRIEF SUMMARY

An article of footwear is provided that has a resilient support structure located in the heel and vamp portions surrounding the foot opening so that the shoe retains its shape after the wearer's heel is inserted, without need to manually straighten either the heel portion or the vamp portion of the shoe.

According to one aspect of the invention, an article of footwear includes an outsole and an upper attached to the outsole. The upper has a heel portion, a vamp portion, and two quarters, namely lateral and medial side portions, which together defines a foot opening. A resilient heel support member is retained within a first channel that extends through the upper and lines a part of the foot opening in the heel portion of the upper. The resilient heel support member is configured to support the upper such that the article of footwear retains its shape.

In another aspect of the invention, an article of footwear includes an outsole and an upper attached to the outsole and defining a foot opening. The upper includes a resilient heel support member extending around a first portion of the foot opening through a heel portion of the upper, a resilient vamp support member extending around a second portion of the foot opening through a vamp portion of the upper, and a resilient collar support member extending around a portion of the foot opening through the lateral and medial quarters of said upper. Reinforced portions of the upper are disposed on the lateral and medial quarters of the upper, and the heel support member, the vamp support member, and the collar support member extend between the reinforced portions and are anchored in the reinforced portions. The heel support member, the vamp support member, and the collar support member are configured to support the upper such that the article of footwear retains its shape.

In a third aspect of the invention, an article of footwear includes an outsole and an upper attached to the outsole and defining a foot opening. The upper includes a heel support member extending around a first portion of the foot opening through a heel portion of the upper, a vamp support member extending around a second portion of the foot opening through a vamp portion of the upper, and a collar support member extending around a portion of the foot opening through lateral and medial quarters of the upper. The heel support member, the vamp support member, and the collar support member are each formed from a monofilament material, and are configured to support the upper such that the article of footwear retains its shape

DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side elevation of a shoe with resilient support members according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view the shoe of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side elevation of a shoe with resilient support members according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the shoe of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the shoe of FIG. 3, with openings uncovered; and

FIG. 6 is a rear perspective view of the shoe of FIG. 3, with openings uncovered.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to FIGS. 1-6, the present article of footwear includes a resilient support structure located in the heel and vamp portions surrounding the foot opening so that the shoe retains its shape after the wearer's heel is inserted, without need to manually straighten either the heel portion or the vamp portion of the shoe.

The article of footwear or shoe, generally designated 10, includes an upper 12 connected to an outsole 14. As best shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the upper 12 includes a forefoot portion 16 and a heel portion 18 that are connected by opposing lateral quarter portion 20 a and medial quarter portion 20 b (collectively, quarters 20). The quarters 20 extend to the heel portion 18 and are joined together by stitching, adhesives or other suitable connection method. Alternatively, the quarters 20 and heel portion 18 may be formed integrally. The upper 12 is generally made from a non-stretchable material such as a durable water-repellant (DWR) nylon or a polyester ripstop fabric, but may be any suitable material or combination of materials.

Both the lateral and medial quarters 20 include a reinforced area 22. The reinforced area 22 can be formed from, for example, a synthetic material patch attached to the upper 12. Alternatively, other known fabric reinforcement methods may be used to form the reinforced areas 22.

As shown in FIG. 2, a peripheral edge of the upper defines a foot opening 24, and a vamp portion 26 extends between the toe and the foot opening. A first support channel 28 formed in the upper 12 lines a portion of the foot opening 24. The first support channel 28 extends between the reinforced areas 22 on the lateral and medial sides of the upper, passing through the heel portion 18 to partially line the rear of the foot opening 24. An optional second support channel 30 extends between the reinforced areas 22 on the lateral and medial sides of the upper, passing through the vamp portion 26 to partially line the front of foot opening 24. As shown in FIG. 1, an optional third support channel 32 optionally extends between the reinforced areas 22 on the lateral and medial sides of the upper, passing through the collar that lines the sides of foot opening 24. In the heel portion 18, the third support channel preferably intersects with the first channel, as best seen in FIG. 4. Each of the first, second, and third support channels 28, 30, 32 is preferably defined by stitching within the upper 12.

The first support channel 28 is sized to accommodate a resilient heel support member 34. The heel support member 34 aids the heel portion 18 in both retaining its shape and returning to its original shape after a momentary deformation, such as when a user inserts his or her foot into the shoe 10. This shape retention is achieved by using a relatively resilient material, such as nylon monofilament, to form the heel support member 34. Alternatively, the heel support member 34 may be formed from resilient plastic, carbon fiber, metal or other materials, as known in the art. The heel support member 34 is preferably initially substantially straight. When inserted into the first support channel 28, the resilient heel support member 34 bends and conforms to the shape of the channel. Thus, the heel support member 34, when inserted in channel 28, includes leg portions 34 a that extend rearward from the reinforced areas 22 along the quarters 20, substantially in parallel with the outsole 14, and a generally U-shaped portion 34 b between leg portions 34 a, which is disposed at an angle relative to the legs 34 a and the outsole 14. Leg portions 34 a and U-shaped portion 34 b is preferably a unitary member. The resilient nature of the material used to form the heel support member 34 causes the U-shaped portion 34 b to spring outwardly, which is beneficial aids in maintaining the proper form of the foot opening 24.

The second support channel 30 is sized to accommodate an optional, generally U-shaped vamp support member 36. The vamp support member 36 is preferably formed from the same material used to form the heel support member 34, and is preferably a nylon monofilament material. The vamp support member 36 is preferably initially substantially straight, and conforms to the shape of the second support channel 30 once inserted therein. The resilient U-shaped vamp support member 36 springs outwardly, beneficially helping to maintain the proper form of the foot opening 24.

Similarly, the third support channel 32 is sized to accommodate an optional collar support member 38, which is formed from the same material used to form the heel support member 34 and vamp support member 36, and is preferably a nylon monofilament material. The collar support member 38 is preferably initially substantially straight. When inserted into the third support channel 32, the collar support member 38 bends and conforms to the shape of the third support channel. Thus the collar support member 38, when inserted into the third support channel 32, includes angled leg portions 38 a that extend upwardly and rearwardly from the reinforced areas 22 towards the foot opening 24, and a generally U-shaped collar portion 38 b there between. As with the other support members, third support member is preferably unitary. Support member 38lines a collar portion of the upper surrounding the foot opening 24 The resilient nature of the material used to form the collar support member 38 causes the U-shaped portion 38 b to spring open outwardly, which beneficially helps to maintain the proper form of the foot opening 24.

The support members 34, 36, 38 are a resilient, flexible, lightweight material that retains its shape once set, preferably monofilament. Monofilament is a single, continuous strand (filament) of synthetic fiber formed melting and mixing nylon polymers, and then extruding the mixed polymers to form strands. Each of the strands is cut to a desired length to form the support members 34, 36, 38. The monofilament strands are then inserted into the support channels 28, 30, 32. The monofilament strands induce a biasing force within the upper 12, helping to hold the shoe 10 in a desired position and maintain the proper shape and form of the foot opening 24.

The first support channel 28 includes an opening 28 a disposed in the heel portion 18 of the upper 12. The opening 28 a allows for the heel support member 34 to be removably inserted into the first channel 28. Additionally, the first and third support channels 28 and 32 preferably intersect in at least the heel portion 18 of the upper 12. Accordingly, the opening 28 a allows for the collar support member 38 to be removably inserted into the third channel 32. Similarly, the second channel 30 preferably includes an opening 30 a that is sized to allow the vamp support member 36 to be removably inserted into the second channel.

The shoe 10 also optionally includes elastic gore panels 40 disposed between the vamp portion 26 and the lateral and medial quarter portions 20. Each of the elastic gore panels 40 is preferably a generally triangular panel formed from a stretchable material. The gore panels 40 allow for additional stretch between the vamp portion 26 and the quarter portions 20, beneficially making the shoe 10 easier to put on and/or take off a wearer's foot.

In use, the wearer inserts a foot into the shoe 10 through the foot opening 24. Support members 34, 36, and 38 aid the shoe in retaining a shape such that the foot hole 24 remains open to receive the foot. During insertion, the shape of foot opening in the upper may be distorted by the wearer's foot. Once the wearer's foot is fully inserted into the shoe, the resilient support members 34, 36, and 38 exert forces on the upper 12 to return the upper to its initial shape. In this way, the wearer is able to quickly and conveniently insert his or her foot into the shoe, without needing to bend over to manually straighten the upper before insertion to allow the foot to pass through the foot hole, or after insertion to straighten the heel portion of the upper.

Referring now to FIGS. 3-6, a second embodiment of a shoe is illustrated, being generally designated 110. The shoe 110 is consistent in many respects to the shoe 10 illustrated and discussed above, and includes many elements that are shared with the shoe 10. For this reason, elements that are shared with the shoe 10 have been given similar element numbers in the 100 series for clarity.

Both the lateral and medial quarters 120 include a reinforced area 122 formed from, for example, a synthetic material patch attached to the upper 112. Alternatively, other known fabric reinforcement methods may be used to form the reinforced areas 122. As best shown in FIG. 3, the reinforced areas 122 optionally include a grommet 123 to provide further reinforcement.

Additionally, as best shown in FIGS. 4-6, covering flaps 142 that serve to cover openings 128 a and 130 a are optionally included on the shoe 110. The flaps 142 may be made from any flexible materials, and are connected to the upper 112 via stitching to form a living hinge. To cover the openings 128 a and 130 a, the flaps 142 are folded over the opening. The flaps 142 are preferably releasably held in position using hook and loop-type fasteners, although other fasteners such as snaps, buttons, and the like can be used without altering the scope of the invention.

While particular embodiments of the present article of footwear has been described herein, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the invention in its broader aspects. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An article of footwear comprising: an outsole; an upper attached to the outsole, said upper including at least a heel portion, a vamp portion and lateral and medial quarter portions there between, which define a foot opening; and a resilient heel support member retained within a first channel extending through said upper and lining at least a part of the foot opening in said heel portion of said upper; wherein said heel support member is configured to support said upper such that the article of footwear retains its shape.
 2. The article of footwear according to claim 1, wherein said upper includes a pair of reinforced sections disposed, respectively, on both the lateral and medial quarter portions of said upper, and wherein said first channel extends between said reinforced sections, and said heel support member is anchored at both ends within said reinforced sections.
 3. The article of footwear according to claim 1, wherein said heel support member is formed from a monofilament material.
 4. The article of footwear according to claim 1, further comprising a resilient vamp support member retained within a second channel extending through said upper and lining at least a part of the foot opening in said vamp portion of said upper.
 5. The article of footwear according to claim 4, further comprising a resilient collar support member retained within a third channel extending through said upper and lining at least a part of the foot opening at an upper peripheral edge of the lateral and medial quarter portions of said upper.
 6. The article of footwear according to claim 5, wherein said upper includes a pair of reinforced sections disposed, respectively, on both the lateral and medial quarter portions of said upper, and wherein said first, second and third channels extend between said reinforced sections, and wherein said heel, vamp and collar support members are anchored within said reinforced sections.
 7. The article of footwear according to claim 5, wherein said heel, vamp, and collar support members are formed from a monofilament material.
 8. The article of footwear according to claim 4, further comprising an opening in said second channel, said opening being sized to allow for insertion and removal of said vamp support member.
 9. The article of footwear according to claim 1, wherein said heel member is removable.
 10. The article of footwear according to claim 1, further comprising an opening in said first channel in the upper, said opening being sized to allow for insertion and removal of said heel support member.
 11. The article of footwear according to claim 1, wherein said upper is formed from a durable water-repellent nylon fabric or a polyester ripstop fabric.
 12. An article of footwear comprising: an outsole; an upper attached to the outsole having a heel portion, a vamp portion, lateral and medial quarter portions, and defining a foot opening; a resilient heel support member extending around a first portion of said foot opening through the heel portion of said upper; a resilient vamp support member extending around a second portion of said foot opening through the vamp portion of said upper; and reinforced portions of said upper disposed on the lateral and medial quarters of said upper, said heel support member and said vamp support member extending between said reinforced portions and being anchored in said reinforced portions, wherein said heel support member and said vamp support member are configured to support said upper such that the article of footwear retains its shape.
 13. The article of footwear according to claim 12, further comprising a collar support member extending around a portion of said foot opening through the lateral and medial quarters of said upper, wherein said collar support member extends between said reinforced portions and is anchored in said reinforced portions.
 14. The article of footwear according to claim 13, wherein said heel support member, said vamp support member, and said collar support member are formed from a monofilament material.
 15. The article of footwear as in claim 12, wherein the heel and vamp support members are removable.
 16. An article of footwear comprising: an outsole; and an upper attached to the outsole and defining a foot opening, said upper including a removable resilient heel support member extending around a first portion of said foot opening through a heel portion of said upper, a removable resilient vamp support member extending around a second portion of said foot opening through a vamp portion of said upper, and a removable resilient collar support member extending around a portion of the foot opening through quarters of said upper, and wherein said heel support member, said vamp support member, and said collar support member are configured to support said upper such that the article of footwear retains its shape.
 17. The article of footwear according to claim 16, wherein said upper further includes a pair of reinforced portions disposed, respectively, on a lateral quarter and a medial quarter of said upper, said heel support member, said vamp support member, and said collar support member extending between said reinforced portions and being anchored in said reinforced portions. 